Won 2nd Place In State Competition

If you would have told me a couple of years ago I would have won 2^nd place at a state competition, I probably would have laughed at you. I never win anything, let alone a state competition. Last semester one of my teachers advised I'd take a certain test which would help on a resume. A few weeks ago I took the test, and thought I failed it. Come to find out I won second place in state! Now I get to compete at the national level in Chicago in June!

Senseless Cop Shootings

 

Ok, here's how I feel on these stupid cop shootings: apparently another black person got shot and killed by a cop in South Carolina. The cop got fired and put in jail. Should these cops use lethal force? Probably not. They have tasers for a reason. However, with that being said - they doing their job and what they are trained to do. They are trained to get a suspect to stop at any means necessary. This cop told this suspect to stop but instead of stopping the guy ran from the cop so the cop shot him! I'm sorry, but whether you did something wrong or not, if a cop (or any authority for that matter) tells you to stop YOU STOP! quit blaming cops for what they are doing. regardless if it's wrong or right what they are doing, that's not the point. the point is if a cop tries to stop you THAN YOU STOP! use some common sense people! If you stop when told, than these senseless shootings wouldn't be occurring!

Verse of the Day, April 07, 2015

 

“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people.” – Ephesians 6:7

Copyright © 2015 Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc.

Arkansas Passes Privacy Bill That Could Kill Street Photography

One reason I've been a little leery about taking photos of those I didn't know:



Arkansas Passes Privacy Bill That Could Kill Street Photography

Verse of the Day, March 28, 2015

 

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.” – Matthew 24:35

Copyright © 2015 Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc.

Verse of the Day, March 27, 2015

 

“And it is impossible to please God without faith.  Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” – Hebrews 11:6

© LifeChurch.tv / YouVersion

Verse of the Day, March 26, 2015

 

“I will never forget your commandments, for by them you give me life” – Psalms 119:93

© LifeChurch.tv / YouVersion

Quote of the Day, March 26, 2015

 

“The minute you read something that you can’t understand, you can almost be sure it was drawn up by a lawyer.” – Will Rogers

©The Wilkow Majority

Business Card Designed For Christian Bickerton Plumbing

 

This is a business card I created for a friend of mine.  What do you all think about it?

Designing In Word Just Should Not Be Done

 

As a designer myself, I find that designing anything in Microsoft Word is a joke. I hate having to design anything using Word, but unfortunately a class of mine won't allow me to design something using InDesign. It has to be Microsoft Word only. Word is only useful for document creation only. Even though you can use it to make layouts and newsletters, etc. I don't recommend it at all unless it's all you got and you don't have access to a good designer who doesn't use Microsoft Word to design things, lol.

Verse of The Day, March 25, 2015

 

“A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.” –Psalms 84:10

© LifeChurch.tv / YouVersion

Quote of the Day, March 25, 2015

 

“Coming together is a beginning.  Keeping together is progress.  Working together is success.” – Henry Ford

©2015 The Wilkow Majority

Verse of The Day, March 4, 2015

 

“For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in Heaven, not built by human hands.” - 2 Corinthians 5:1

 

Copyright © 2015 Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc.

Looks Like Another Snowy Weekend

 

Just when we thought winter was over, and it was pretty mild up until now, a couple weeks ago we got blasted with a bunch of snow and this weekend as well.  Activities for today are cancelled, and it looks like activities for this week probably will be as well.  I am not a big fan of winter, and am very much looking forward to spring to get here, and hopefully it will arrive soon.

Verse of the Day, February 28, 2015

"Yet the Lord set His affection on your ancestors and loved them, and He chose you, their descendants, above all the nations – as it is today." – Deuteronomy 10:15
Copyright © 2015 Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc.

Global Business and Issues With Child Labor and Sweatshops

There is a major issue with sweatshops and child labor if you are going to do business on a global scale. Part of this problem deals with the fact that we have different rules and regulations here in the United States, compared to other parts of the world.

    According to the International Labour Organization, Child labor is work that harms the child's well-being and hinders his or her education, development and future livelihood, and that the minimum age for employment should not be less than the age for completing compulsory schooling, and in general not less than 15 years. They also stated that developing countries have the option to set the minimum age at 14 and 12 for "light work" as a transitional measure. Many developing countries, however, have chosen to adopt the minimum ages of 15 or even 16, so it is essential to check national legislation on minimum age to ensure compliance with the national law.

    It is astounding to read that even the United States is also a part of the problem, despite our current laws. According to businessinsider.com, we ranked 141^st and considered a medium risk alongside Cuba, Georgia, and Kuwait according to a recent study on child labor risks. This article also states that some of the world's worst child labor offenders are for companies that source goods from the developing world: Phillipines, India, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Brazil, among others. In most cases, these children are either put to work to supplement family income. Some are even bought and sold as slaves! In some countries they are even involved in sex trafficking!

    Another issue we have in global business are sweatshops. Sweatshops have a poor working environment, very low pay, and usually no benefits. The United States used to have several sweat shops until we changed our rules and regulations, but currently countries like Indonesia or Sri Lanka don't have such rules and regulations. According to an article on theguardian.com, In Sri Lanka, workers were forced to work up to 130 hours per month in overtime, and anyone asking to leave would be verbally harassed, and in the Philippines, 24% of workers said that they did not receive additional pay for their overtime. Typical hours can be 6am to 8pm.

    Several companies have gotten into a lot of trouble with having a lot of their supplies being outsourced to such places including Nike, Walmart, Ralph Lauren, DKNY, GAP, Converse, Banana Republic, Land's End, Levi's, among many others.

    So what can we do to solve these issues with child labor and sweatshops? Personally, I feel that a company has a right to do whatever they want to do by their own free will even though it can be wrong at times, and we have a right to do business with such places or not after hearing their poor business practices. For example, I remember learning a couple years ago that Abercrombie and Fitch markets provocative clothes to teens, and so it causes me to not want to set foot in the store, rather than push our government to ban them from doing such things. Eventually businesses will figure out why they are losing money. Most people tend to think more legislation and government control is key to getting people and businesses to do the right thing, and I can understand why. However, I think the best way to solve the problem with child labor and sweatshops is awareness. If we make people aware of what these businesses are doing, most people I don't think will do business with these companies, and will stop buying their stuff until the companies changed their habits.

 

SOURCES:

McKenna, Luke Child Labor Is Making A Disturbing Resurgence Around The World businessinsider.com, 06 Jan. 2012. Web. 11 Feb. 2015

Business and Child Labour ilo.org, 01 Sep. 2010. Web. 11 Feb. 2015

Nisen, Max How Nike Solved Its Sweatshop Problem businessinsider.com, 09 May. 2013. Web. 11 Feb. 2015

Bunting, Madeleine Sweatshops are still supplying high street brands theguardian.com, 28 Apr. 2011. Web. 11 Feb. 2015

Verse of the Day, February 27, 2015

"Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures." – Psalm 119:90

Copyright © 2015 Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc.

Quote of The Day, February 24, 2015

"There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them." – Ayn Rand

©2015 Andrew Wilkow / The Wilkow Majority

Verse of The Day, February 24, 2015

"Share each other's burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ." – Galatians 6:2

©2015 YouVersion

Verse of the Day, February 21, 2015

Ephesians 4:26, 4:27 - "Be Ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil."

©YouVersion ® - The Bible App™

Benefits In Owning A Tablet

Recently I had decided to purchase a Tablet PC. Up until the time I made my purchase, I kept thinking to myself, "Why do I really need one? What would I use it for when everything I can do on it I can do on my phone?"
Well, here is exactly the benefits of purchasing a Tablet PC:

1. Obviously the bigger screen – you can see things better on it compared to a phone screen
2. It can be your E-Reader device: I have started using mine to do my daily bible study. It's much more portable and easier to carry with you and very light. And when you're working out of a book trying to learn computer software, sometimes those pages in those big bulky books don't want to stay. Even the smaller computer books pages don't want to stay. I can lean my Tablet on something, open the e-book copy of that particular book, and pages in the e-book will stay, lol!
3. Doing some homework assignments: In one class of mine this semester we have study guides to save. I've been printing them off in order to follow along with it to fill out the answers while reading the chapters. Not anymore. I can view the study guide on the tablet and fill out the answers as necessary while reading the chapter.
4. Playing games: you can play games on it.
5. Keeping track of appointments/meetngs: you can add to your calendar.
6. Checking e-mail, watching tv, taking notes, etc: all kinds of fun stuff you can do on it – and you don't even have to spend all day in your computer chair.
7. You can access files on your main computer on certain tablets: My tablet has Windows 8.1, so does my laptop. Through sharing certain folders, I can access any file I wanted on my tablet over a wifi connection – as long as my laptop is in that wireless network range.
   
    

Samsung and other companies have also come up with a device called a "Smart Watch." You can sync this thing to your phone and it will tell you when you got a text or phone call along with the time. Seems like a nifty device, but I don't think I'd want one, although it would be kind of neat to have something telling me I have a call when my phone isn't nearby for me to hear it, but also depends on the range they have – if my phone is too far away will it still tell me I have a text or call?

Dreams from the Digital Darkroom — 25 Years of Photoshop

Dreams from the Digital Darkroom — 25 Years of Photoshop. BY RUSSELL BRADY 

On February 19, 1990, an unknown software product calledPhotoshop arrived on store shelves, offering entirely new ways for professional photographers and designers to modify and create digital images. At the time, its creators could never have imagined just how influential Photoshop would become, eventually being used in industries as diverse as publishing, advertising, fine art, web design, film, medicine, law enforcement, fashion, government, video games, and countless other fields.

Sorry That I Been Away So Long

Hello to all of my fans and followers! I'm sorry that I been away for so long! I have been moving all of my blog posts to Microsoft Word since Windows Live Writer is no longer being updated, and half of the plug-ins I used with it won't work anymore, I decided to just switch over to using MS Word's blog post feature. I didn't want to make more posts to have to move into different folders later, so I decided it was best and easier to not make anymore posts in the meantime until I was finished converting the old posts over.
I know what you're thinking: Why convert them if they are already posted anyway? Well, the reason being is because I don't want to keep Windows Live Writer installed if I can't really do much with the plug-ins with it, and in a lot of recent posts done on Windows Live Writer, I had to publish it as a draft and go onto the blog sites to publish them in order for them to be automatically shared. And for posterity purposes, if I uninstall LiveWriter, I can't view the blog posts on my computer later if I wanted, so I needed to convert them to Word documents.
So here I am, I'm back for your blog viewing pleasure, for those of you who have missed seeing my posts these past few months!

If It’s Legal, Is It Ethical?

This question has been asked numerous times in the past: If it's legal, than is it ethical? I personally don't believe that just because something is legal to do, doesn't make it always the right thing or ethical to do. For example: Alcohol consumption is perfectly legal, but does that mean its ok to become drunks? Of course not. Just like certain instances throughout history that were perfectly legal, but weren't ethical: Slavery was perfectly fine until the US Constitution abolished it in 1865 when the 13^th amendment was created. And it wasn't until the Fair Labor Standards Act passed in 1938 that banned children working in mines, textile mills, and glass factories! Before then, children as young as 10 years old worked. Women also weren't able to vote until 1920, and blacks weren't able to vote until the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Before these years, it was perfectly legal to have slaves, have children as workers, and let only white men vote. But just because it was legal does not make it right.
    Today, lying, cheating, and breaking promises is not against the law, but is it the right thing to do in any event? No. You lose all of your credibility and have no integrity when you do such things.
    Sometimes it's difficult to figure out what is ethical when it's not illegal because there is no rulebook. Ethics are the products of our values and upbringings.
    Personally, I don't agree with all the laws we have today because it takes away the freedoms our companies have and the freedoms we have, which makes this country so great. I feel people and companies need to be ethically responsible. However, I also understand why the laws are in place as well: to keep wrong things that happened in the past from happening again. Without the laws, people will do whatever they want – even though it's wrong.
    In closing, just because it's legal doesn't make it ethical. We as a people should use our better judgment. We all know what is right from what is wrong and therefore need to always do the right thing, and not be so much concerned about what's written in the law books, just be concerned about doing the right thing.

 

SOURCES:

Weinstein, Bruce, Ph.D. If It's Legal, It's Ethical, Right? Bloomberg Business Week, 2007. Web. 23 Jan. 2015

 

MacDonald, Chris, Ph.D. What's Legal Isn't Always Ethical. The Business Ethics Blog, 2011.

    Web. 23 Jan. 2015

 

It's Legal So It's Ethical…Right? Lawyer's Weekly, 30 May 2012. Web. 23 Jan. 2015

On This Day of Thanksgiving, I Would Like To Give Thanks To 4 Industries

On this day of thanksgiving, I want to give thanks to 4 industries that don't get much thankfulness. 1 in particular that some of you don't think deserve any respect on thanksgiving. These industries are of course our military - they fight for our freedoms everyday and can't be with family on thanksgiving; Health care workers - where are you going to go if you got sick or hurt on thanksgiving if not one hospital or health care provider were open on thanksgiving? Restaurants - where would people go for thanksgiving dinner if they are not able to cook? And yes, retailers. Yes, you heard me correctly. I said retailers. Some of you think it's stupid how retailers can't have thanksgiving because of the black friday events, and want to boycott retailers for not letting their families stay home for thanksgiving. Look at it from this angle: do you like our economy? do you like to keep it growing? Our economy is just as important as our military and our health care workers. Without the economy how are we able to keep our bills paid and provide for our families or help those less fortunate? If it weren't for the retailers and business, we really wouldn't have much of an economy now would we? Now I know what you are thinking: "forget the retailers and business, they are greedy." - but if you really honestly sit and think about it, they aren't really necessarily greedy. just trying to make a profit to stay out of bankruptcy. wouldn't you like to make enough money to stay away from bankruptcy? Black Friday is called "black" friday for a reason - it's the only day of the whole year that retailers get there profits out of the red and into the black in order to stay afloat. if they were to lose money and go bankrupt than it hurts our economy. Am i for the black friday sale items? not necessarily. most are junk items that retailers are able to get cheap for a reason - they are the lowest grade items from a manufacturer but hey - the junk items bring the customers in because they think it's a great deal. This is what the retailers need to stay afloat, and if they stay afloat so than does our economy. So instead of being hateful of Walmart, JC Penny, Target, or other stores that participate in black friday, because your family members have to work, be thankful for them as well. It's them that keep our economy going, even during rough times.

I Have A Love Hate Relationship With Computer Technology

If you hate computer technology at times, raise your hands. I’m sure that each one of you who comes across this article will believe me when I say that computers can be very evil. When they do what you want it’s great, but you just want to smash it when it doesn’t do exactly what you want, lol.

I recently tried to install the new Office 365 on my computer, but was told to uninstall my Norton for Office to install, but that still wouldn’t work. I than decided to reformat my computer and just start from scratch, Office installed than, however I now have a few other new issues come up that didn’t occur before my pc reformat. My lock screen settings don’t show up right, and my windows 8.1 photos app don’t work correctly. Looks like I’ll be starting from scratch yet again sometime soon. Fun Fun, lol.

Death Row Jesus

Please watch this very amazing and powerful video!

Quote of the Day, August 26, 2014

Quote of the Day:
Some people regard discipline as a chore. For me, it is a kind of order that sets me free to fly.
--Julie Andrews

Verse of the Day - August 26, 2014

Isaiah 26:3“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Ice Bucket Challenge

Echo360

This is currently my 3^rd year at North Arkansas College, and one thing I have noticed in my time attending there is that I'm not a big fan of the lecture videos teachers give on the Echo360 system. Yes they explain things well in them, but with me being such a visual hands on learner, I need more than just these videos sometimes, lol.

Final Year At North Arkansas College

This begins my final year at North Arkansas College.  When I graduate in May 2015 I will have both my AAS in Information Technology with Emphasis in Digital Media degree and my small business management certificate.  I am looking forward to this year, and looking forward to graduating, and looking forward to see what opportunities God has in store for me after I graduate.

I am hoping to someday go back and get my bachelor’s degree as well, but that’s all in the future.  I would like to someday down the road minor in marketing, because I think it might help me in the future as well.

RIP Robin Williams

I remember growing up and watching any movie with Robin Williams. If it had Robin Williams in it, I just had to see it. Up to this very day, his movies are ones I have to see. He had such an impact on my life. One of my first interests as a kid growing up was acting, and Robin Williams was one of the many reasons why. he was extremely talented and could play anybody or anything. He had terrific acting skills, comedic skills, and even mime skills.
I didn’t even know he battled depression, that’s sad to hear. I fight depression from time to time, as do a lot of us. I battled it even more when I was younger. Some say it’s caused by a chemical imbalance, but I think one’s situations they are dealing with also cause it. In my early 20s I battled it because I felt alone. These days I still battle it, but luckily I found God and so prayer helps me get through it along with really close Christian friends.
Life is too short, and you will run through some tough times. You may as well make the best of it as best that you can.

Why Aren’t More Americans Atheists? - Nick Spencer - POLITICO Magazine

Difficult to tell if  this article is promoting christianity or atheism.  if it's promoting atheism, I think it's one of the dumbest articles I ever read because I think atheists are delusional.



Why Aren’t More Americans Atheists? - Nick Spencer - POLITICO Magazine:



'via Blog this'

Whether You Like It Or Not, God Is Real and Evolution Theory Is A Joke

I feel convicted to start making more posts that explains why a belief in God is perfectly healthy and ok. 
You have some people these days who promote this “new-atheism” way of thinking: that Christians are delusional and a belief in God is unhealthy.  People like Richard Dawkins make me sick, especially when they really push down our throats how God is not real. and I pray for people like him everyday.  I read a biography about him yesterday, and when he was a kid he was Christian, so what happened to him?
How am I delusional, when I take a look around and I notice that it is pretty obvious God exists?  when I pray and prayers get answered?  How am I delusional?  and so you basically trying to tell me we are here by some chance? prayers are answered by chance?  really?  that the world is just accidently perfect for us to live and breathe on?  that child prodigies are just accidently gifted?  that is just obvious ignorance that makes no sense.
I think atheists just want a way to just do whatever they want and not feel convicted to do the right thing.  that’s why they denounce a higher power.  you all want proof of God’s existence, just wake up and take a look around.  the proof is in the trees, the gifts we have, the air we breathe.  And I give you even more proof: if you put parts of a watch in a bag and shake it up will a watch come from it? no.  Someone put it together.  the innovations we have did not create themselves, and couldn’t create themselves.  it comes from SOMEONE who came up with it.  Which makes it much more clearer that God exists.  If it is anyone who is delusional, it’s an atheist that tells me there is no proof of God’s existence and tells me having a belief in God is unhealthy.

Verse of The Day - July 18, 2014

Psalm 119:7“I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Quote of the Day - July 18, 2014

Quote of the Day:
A civilization is built on what is required of men, not on that which is provided for them.
--Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Life Is Too Short

Life is so very short.  You can be down here on God’s beautiful green earth one second, and poof - gone from this earth and with Him in heaven the next second, and if they are going to heaven, we merely just say “Goodnight,” because we know we’ll see them again someday.

Do you know where you’re going when you pass away?  Have you admitted to Jesus that you’re a sinner, and asked him to come into your life and be your savior?  After doing so, have you truly repented and left the world’s ways behind and started living for God?  If so, you will be going to heaven.

I went to a funeral today, and I haven’t been to very many funerals.  I’m thankful to know that who passed away was a Christian and followed God, and even though I didn’t know him very well, I’m thankful to know that I will see him again someday.

A funeral tends to make a person wonder about their own life at times.  Am I spending my time here on earth as well as God intended me to?  I’m a Christian, and I started following God about 10 months ago, but I’m still not as close to Him as I should be.  I’m still a terrible sinner.  I never will claim to be perfect, but I pray for forgiveness each day, and thankful that each day I wake up on earth is another chance to try and do things right.  I probably fail more than I should, but I am glad each day is another chance to not fail.

I’m also thankful to know when God calls me away, I will have a guaranteed spot in heaven.  In the meantime, the time we have down here we should make the best of it.  Quit the fussing, fighting, bickering, bitterness, hatefulness, controlling each other and running everybody’s lives.  We should be practicing a more loving lifestyle.  be helpful to one another, and be as forgiving as God is to us.  And if you do not know God or Jesus, I hope and pray that you will find him and ask him into your life.  It will be the best decision you will ever make.  I still have my struggles and faults, but my life is so much better after I decided to follow Jesus.  He helped me have a more positive attitude toward life, he helped me kick alcoholism, and has helped me see that life is more meaningful despite my constant day-to-day issues.  If you ask him into your life, you won’t regret it.

July 4th Painting

This painting I just finished painting last Wednesday just in time for July 4th.

Alpena First Baptist Church Logo Design

I have been working on a logo for my church.  These are concepts I have come up with.  The one with the “Experience God’s Love” slogan is the best one I think.

 

             

EShip University Logo

For our final project in Adobe Illustrator class we were asked to create a logo for a local Entrepreneurship Seminar program called “EShip University.”  What do you all think of my concept?

“If Loving God Was A Crime”

When I first got saved in the summer of 1996, there was a Christian band around at the time called Big Tent Revival that I got turned on to and liked. I think they broke up a few years ago. I started listening to them again about 9 months ago when I decided to put God first in my life. One song that really strikes a meaning for me is "If Loving God Was A Crime". it came out in 1997 but it's very relevant today as it was than.

"If Loving God Was A Crime"
by Big Tent Revival

If loving God was a crime, I'd be an outlaw.
I would join the fight.
They could not shut me down. I would stand tall.
What I know is right.
Would you stand with me, for the world to see,
when all is on the line?
Would you be ashamed, of Jesus name?
If loving God was a crime.

The school room I hear, teaches choices,
to kids who cannot pray.
And the unborn I fear, they have no voice,
in politics today.

Would you stand with me, for the world to see,
when all is on the line?
Would you be ashamed of Jesus name?
If loving God was a crime.

Take a look around.
What will tomorrow hold?
It's time to stand our ground.
We must be bold, we must be bold.

If loving God was a crime, I'd be an outlaw.
I would join the fight.
Will you stand with me, for the world to see,
when all is on the line?
Will you be ashamed, of Jesus name,
when loving God is a crime?

When loving God is a crime...

God's Not Dead

God's Not Dead!

“At Church” Song

I was listening to 60s on 6 on XM radio the other day and one of my favorite classics came on: "Downtown" by Petula Clark. Some new words started coming into my mind. I know sometimes it's difficult to know when God is calling you to do things, but the new words wouldn't leave me and I felt called to re-write the lyrics to express the warmth, peace, and direction one can get when they are at church. I called it "At Church" and here are the new lyrics:

“AT CHURCH”
TO THE TUNE OF “DOWNTOWN” BY PETULA CLARK
NEW WORDS BY MIKE IRVAN
When you’re alone and life is making you hurting
You can always go to church
When you’ve got worries, all the praise and the worship
Seems to help, I know, at church

Just listen to the music of the praise band on the stage
Sitting on the pew seats with your bible at the ready
How can you lose?
The days are much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles, forget all your pain

So go to church
Days will be great when you’re at church
No finer place to be, at church
Jesus is calling for you

Don’t let Satan’s ways or your problems consume you
You can fight it all at church
Maybe you know some others to invite too
Who needs him too (invite them) to church

Just listen to the preaching of the gentle preacher sir
You’ll say amen with him too before service is over
Happy always
The days are much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles, forget all your pain

So go to church
Where all the days are bright, at church
Waiting for you alright, at church
You’re gonna be alright now, at church

At church
At church

And you will find somebody kind to help and understand you
Someone who is just like you and needs uplifting too
Guide them along
So maybe I’ll see you there
We can forget all our troubles, forget all our pain

So go to church
Things will be great when you’re at church
Let’s get in the car (and) head to church
Jesus is waiting for you at church

At church (at church)
At church (at church)
At church (at church)
At church (at church)

T-N-T Group Lock-In

I had the awesome opportunity last night to help out at the lock-in for the Awanas T-N-T group for my church last night.  I feel extremely fortunate and blessed to have Alpena First Baptist Church as my church family.  They are an amazing bunch of people and kids there. 
Got to hear several testimonies and see several kids accept Jesus Christ as their personal lord and saviour last night.  And that’s really what it’s all about.
A couple weeks ago I was helping at the sparkies lock-in and after talking with one of the other leaders I felt convicted to be a better leader and help direct these kids more toward God.  I’m not a great leader or teacher at all.  I’m a quiet person who keeps to myself mostly. I often don’t even have a clue when to step up and tell kids when to be quiet and behave etc, but it’s one thing I do pray to God for guidance for.  In a world that’s so corrupt and immoral anymore, we as adults need to step up and try to guide and direct the younger generations to live better and morrally straight lives.  I don’t have much experience with kids besides being a part of my step children’s live since they were 9 and 10, so I feel God has placed me in that church and to help out with Awanas for a reason. And I feel blessed to be a part of those kids lives - even if I’m just a small part.
It was pretty much an all nighter last night, but it was definitely will worth it.  some of the other leaders stayed up all night, and so did some of the kids.  I however couldn’t stay up all night so I got probably 2 1/2 hours of sleep or so - and I am about ready for bed now, lol.

Powerpoint for Strawberry Lane Media Design

This is the powerpoint I created to help sell my business to clients.  What do you guys think?  https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=C3885789881F156C%21734

Team Japan Powerpoint

Powerpoint I created for a report I had to do with a group in my Business Communications class. https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=C3885789881F156C%21732

Technology and the Cloud

It’s amazing how advanced technology is getting.  Some of it is good and some of it is obviously scary and I don’t want to be a part of the scary stuff, lol - but this idea of the “Cloud” is very cool! 

I recently bought and installed Quicken since Microsoft is no longer updating Microsoft Money, and it’s amazing what I can do with it!  What transactions I input into the program on my computer is automatically uploaded to “the cloud” and I can view it on my app on my Samsung Galaxy S III smart phone.  and whatever transactions I input in that app will automatically download to the program on my computer.  very cool way to keep updated on my finances no matter where I am at.  I don’t have to write down what I have left on my credit before going to best buy or target anymore! lol.

With Microsoft OneDrive I can upload files I want to share with others and than send them the link to it, or even view it on my phone.

If I had the money I’d even have cloud service for my music, lol.  but I have 162gb of music lol. but not to worry:  I bought a new laptop last week and this thing is the most efficient PC I ever owned.  talk about blazing fast!  to convert a 1 hour video took 2 minutes instead of the 2 hours I’m familiar with.  and it’s got a 1tb hard drive, and I thought what the heck am I going to do with that kind of space on an internal hard drive - but I thought I’d put my videos and music on it, so I’m currently using 382gb of it because of that lol.  I may even put my portfolio on it somewhere so that way I’m constantly carrying my portfolio with me - even though I have a copy of my portfolio on my smart phone as well.  Got to love how convenient technology allows us to be.

Quote of the Day - March 3, 2014

Quote of the Day:
Alcohol, if taken in sufficient quantities, produces all the effects of intoxication.
--Oscar Wilde

Verse of The Day - March 3, 2014

Isaiah 55:8-9““For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

New Logo Contest for the Northark Pioneers athletic department

I am taking Adobe Illustrator in college this semester.  I currently am in my 4th semester and I have one more to go!  yay!!!
The college is celebrating it’s 40th anniversary this year, and as part of the celebration they are having a contest for the Northark Pioneers athletic department.  My teacher assigned us this project in hopes that one of us in our class will win.  Here are the 4 choices I created.  The top 2 are probably my favorite ones out of the 4 that seem more athletic type logos.  When I think of pioneer I think of “pioneering” - looking to the future.  so I thought of futuristic things and technology - hence the satellites and satellite dishes in these images and the futuristic “Northark Pioneers” text in the second logo.  The top 2 are what I have submitted to the committee, but  I also should have submitted the 4th one.  I like that one too for an athletic logo, but I couldn’t submit them all.  What do you guys think?

 

  

Quote of the Day - January 11, 2014

Quote of the Day:
Women like silent men. They think they're listening.
--Marcel Archard

Verse of the Day - January 11, 2014

Psalm 118:5-6“When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD; he brought me into a spacious place. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

What Is The True Cause of Our Poor Economy

I was browsing online earlier on a couple of my favorite online shopping websites, and it dawned on me how if you are just browsing and not looking for anything in particular, online shopping isn’t the way to go.  However, these days when you go into a physical store and just want to browse there is nothing to really browse at.  CDs and blu-rays and DVDs are still being manufactured and sold, but lately when you go into walmart or best buy you don’t find much variety of them to choose from anymore, but you can find all sorts of them on their websites.  Unfortunately you have to know what you are looking for when shopping online.  The government is causing our economy to slowly collapse, yes - but I think this new trend of shopping online that started about 10 years ago is also causing the economy to eventually collapse as well.  When stores cut down on their variety to get browsers to buy, nobody buys anything.  they aren’t going to shop online because they don’t even have a clue what they are looking for, therefore aren’t going to buy anything at all causing their dollar not being spent anywhere that would help keep our economy moving.  I don’t buy very many CDs or movies anymore, and I think this is why.  If I don’t even know it’s there for me to look at and take an interest in it to buy it or even think about buying it, why would I even go online to try to find it?  something to think about.  I miss the days of the record shops.  I haven’t seen one in years!  they always got my money, lol.

Verse of the Day - January 5, 2014

Isaiah 1:16-17“Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Quote of the Day - January 5, 2014

Quote of the Day:
If one synchronised swimmer drowns, do all the rest have to drown too?
--Steven Wright

Verse of The Day – January 3, 2014

Titus 2:11-12“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

No More Windows Live Writer?

I remember like it was yesterday being introduced to Windows Live Writer - A software bundled with 4 other apps called the “Windows live essentials” suite that you install on your computer.  Windows Live Writer was it’s application for blogging so you can easily update your blogs and not have to do it on the sluggish interfaces on your blog’s website, and can easily update 2 or more blogs.
I recently unfortunately learned that even though Windows Live Writer is the best desktop based blogging software, Microsoft is unfortunately trying to slowly get rid of it, which is quite unfortunate, plug-ins don’t even work on it hardly anymore either, lol.  2 plugins I liked using on windows live writer are a facebook and twitter plugin so that after I published a post it automatically posted the link to twitter and facebook, lol.  It won’t do that anymore unfortunately.  So now it’s time to start looking for new blogging programs.  What fun, lol.  In the end I may just do what I been doing the past few months - use windows live writer to create the post, but publish it to my blog as a draft.  than going to the blog’s site to officially post it - this way it will post the links to facebook and twitter. lol.

Quote of the Day - January 3, 2013

Quote of the Day:
It takes a steady hand to carry a full cup.
--Anonymous

Quote of The Day - January 2, 2014

Quote of the Day:
Your heart often knows things before your mind does.
--Polly (Pearl) Adler

Verse of the Day - January 2, 2014

Psalm 90:12“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

My Speeches On Video

I took speech this semester, and all semester long I was planning on getting on video me giving the speeches I had to present this semester.  A couple weeks ago I was snowed in, so I finally filmed them and uploaded them to Youtube.  There are 3 of them.  The 4th one I ended up not finishing because we got snowed in, however I hope to soon finish it and film it as well and post it on youtube whenever I have it ready.  I also plan on re-shooting these.  The quality on these videos is a bit poor in my opinion. Enjoy!

I’M A CREATIVE INDIVIDUAL

 

HOW TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE

 

THREE GOOD QUALITIES OF BEING LOYAL

Heart of a Warrior By Jack E. Dawson

A couple months ago my brother and I were at the Great Passion Play attraction in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.  While we were there we came across an art exhibit of a Christian painter from near Joplin, Missouri by the name of Jack Dawson.  The painting that really caught my eye in the exhibit was “Heart of a Warrior.”  His paintings are full of christian symbols.  In this painting, Jesus is represented by the soldier, the toy lamb in his hand, and the face in the rock on the right side of the image, for example.  The description of the $5 copy I have reads

“The heart of a true warrior celebrates freedom for all.  Driven by a passion to relieve suffering and set captives free, the warrior goes to battle for others’ good, even at the cost of his own life.  The anguished face of captivity appears in the rock beside him as he kneels at edge of the world, reaching out in freedom’s name to those crying out for liberty.  A child approaches, trusting the extended hand that gave him the cookie he holds.  Now it offers another gift, a toy lamb that represents the sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God.  His own wounded and bandaged fingers proclaim ‘I love you’ in sign language.  The strong left hand defends ‘old glory,’ wind torn and bullet riddled, but still flying on its broken staff.  His weapons are ready for battle, but the warrior is equipped for ministry.  Beside him grow five poppies, honoring the dedication of the five branches of service.  As the light of Lady Liberty reaches out to the ‘tired poor huddled masses yearning to breathe free,’ the spirit of freedom rises from the smoke of the twin towers forming a cross that conveys the greatest freedom, God’s grace and mercy.”

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners. – Luke 4:18

One of My Favorite Movie Cars

This is one of my favorite movie cars.  I think any image it's in, it looks cool.  The DeLorean DMC-12 time machine from the Back To The Future series.  The Back To The Future Facebook shared this image and I thought I'd re-share it for everyone else's enjoyment.

My Wife And Step-kids Need Your Help This Christmas

my wife and stepkids need your help. they are struggling financially and my wife can’t afford to get them christmas presents this year. She set up a fundraiser on gofundme.com in hopes of raising money for Christmas. If you can find it in your heart to donate so they can have a good christmas and can keep their light bill on we would greatly appreciate it. thanks and God bless and Merry Christmas! http://www.gofundme.com/5aocg8

Record Snowfall In Arkansas

My pictures aren’t as great as some others I’ve seen but I just now decided to try to go outside and try to measure the snow and get a few pictures.   It is currently 17 degrees outside, and it’s supposed to get down to 0.  I have been told that this a record for Arkansas because it’s never this cold this early in the winter.

One measurement I took on the back of my brother’s deck showed 7 inches, but some other spots I checked showed 6 inches.  Walking, my foot was literally buried in the stuff!  not snowing now and I believe it’s supposed to be done snowing, but with the temperatures how they are supposed to be the next couple days, I don’t think this snow will melt very fast.  My dad has been having to drive in this mess – including ice.  He’s stopped for the night down in Little Rock, but will be coming home sometime tomorrow – He’s a very safe driver, but I ask for prayers that God keeps his hand of protection over him – along with anyone else who has to travel in this.

 

Magazines, Brochures, and Fliers I created

I took Adobe InDesign this semester in college.  I like that program much better than Microsoft Publisher.  It’s more user friendly I think.  I put the portfolio for the magazines and brochures I created this semester on my SkyDrive.  The link to it is http://sdrv.ms/IJX6LV if you would like to check it out.

Fake National Geographic Magazine I had created

I had to put together a fake issue of  NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE for a class this semester.  The link shown should take you to the PDF file I created.  I also have it on my SkyDrive at http://sdrv.ms/1bGuLlE if you want to see it there instead.

Center campus a Glow

Here is the next project I had to do. It's supposed to be digital art that's related to North Arkansas College. Can what I did be considered art though? Lol. (note: the photo used is not mine, I don't know who took the picture. I just take credit for what I did to it.)

16 Inspiring Songs That Honor JFK Pictures - The Tragedy That Shattered Camelot | Rolling Stone

*After John F. Kennedy’s assasination, our country went into utter chaos.  1960s started out nice and calm until than.  I’m not a democrat, but I do like what Kennedy stood for and tried to do during his presidency: get world peace, kill poverty, create equality in all of us.  Some songs mentioned in this Rolling stone article I heard of, some I haven’t.  all I didn’t know had parts that are influenced by John Kennedy.  1960s history I always enjoyed, but some of the things that we now have because of events back then probably weren’t good ideas.  people have too much of a “if it feels good do it” mindset, and put all caution to the wind due to it, and just don’t care and have no moral boundaries.

16 Inspiring Songs That Honor JFK Pictures - The Tragedy That Shattered Camelot | Rolling Stone: "16 Inspiring Songs That Honor JFK"

On Nov. 22, 1963, the Beatles released their second album, the Beach Boys played to a record-breaking crowd in Marysville, CA, and Elvis Presley wept with gal pal Ann-Marget as they watched the shocking news on television about President John F. Kennedy's assassination.

Before that day, rock and roll was still in its happy-go-lucky infancy. After that fateful convertible ride through Dallas, the '60s became The Sixties, and a fast-maturing rock and roll would help guide the cultural and political shift waged by a generation that began to question the ways of the world. As we recognize the 50th anniversary of the day JFK was shot this week, here are some of our favorite musical nods to Kennedy and the tragedy that shattered Camelot.

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/16-inspiring-songs-that-honor-jfk-20131119#ixzz2l9zDJSP3 
Follow us: @rollingstone on Twitter | RollingStone on Facebook

'via Blog this'

President Obama omits "under God" in gettysburg address taping

*President Obama is very misguided and needs to definitely prayed for!

‘That is an affront to the people who died there’: President Obama omits ‘under God’ from taped Gettysburg Address – Glenn Beck: "President Obama omits ‘under God"

President Obama already made headlines today for skipping the 150th anniversary ceremony of the Gettysburg Address citing a scheduling conflict, and now it looks like there is controversy surrounding his taped reading of the address.

President Obama and several other famous faces from the worlds of politics, entertainment, and business recorded versions of President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address for a project filmmaker Ken Burns produced for PBS. But in the video that President Obama recorded, two important words appear to have been omitted from the text: Under God.

'via Blog this'

Loyalty

My recent speech for speech class was a motivational speech.  My teacher for this assignment gave us a topic to speak about.  My topic was “loyalty.”  The following is my speech.  I  plan on eventually filming these speeches and putting them up on youtube, so be on the lookout for them.

Ha! Loyalty. I don’t want to speak about no stinking loyalty. I have no desire to speak about loyalty. I would much rather speak about something else instead. Something I’m passionate about. What can I possibly teach you about loyalty? I want to do things my way, my rules. I don’t want to be loyal to this class, nor do I want to be loyal to anyone else for that matter! I just want to drop out…

When you think of lovalty, what comes to mind?...

According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, “Loyalty” means “A feeling of strong support to someone or something.”

What I think about when I hear the word “Loyalty” are many great qualities that we all should have. Some of these great qualities might seem familiar to you because they might be your topic, but today I want to briefly cover three of them that seem to be the most important qualities of loyalty: dedication, love, and faithfulness.

First, let’s talk about dedication. I at first thought this was going to be a tough topic for me. As far as I know, I’m a pretty loyal person, but it’s nothing I really think about. And no matter how hard I try to do well at these things, I’m not a gifted speaker. I’m an introvert, and in public situations I’d rather be quiet and listen. Every time I have to come up here to speak, I try my best to do well – but I struggle. I can’t even memorize my whole speech, no matter how hard I try to. God has blessed me to be more open in public, but I still struggle badly with public speaking.

I thought I was ready to present my last speech, however the grade I got for it proved that I really wasn’t. But I didn’t want to give up., I wanted to remain dedicated to my degree plan, because it’s always been one of my dreams to work in the creative field, so why drop classes that are required over a lousy grade because of my faults? All that’s going to do is make me out to look bad and like a failure. What is that going to achieve?

I was also determined to do well in something for a change, so instead I’m going to keep pushing on and working hard because you shouldn’t let your faults bring you down. I see others who do better at things I would like to do well in, and it just makes me want to try even harder. I’m not a very smart person at all, and have had many setbacks in my life. We all have our setbacks at some point, but we should never give up. Giving up doesn’t lead to anything but failure. We should instead all remain loyal to our dreams and goals.–that is, be dedicated and do what we can to overcome our setbacks – even if it means doing something you really don’t want to do like getting up in front of speech class to give a speech when you’re not a gifted speaker. Sometimes throughout life we are presented with things we don’t want to do, but we have to be loyal and not argue about it and just do it. Arguing normally doesn’t accomplish anything.

A second good quality of loyalty is love. Have you ever loved something or someone so much, that you would do anything for them or it? Some people love certain bands so much, that they would travel miles to see them play. They are loyal to those bands. Some people would love a certain film series so much they will wait in line at the theater in the cold to see it on opening day. Some people also love technology so much they will camp in parking lots to receive the first item on the shelf. these people love these things so much, that they are loyal to them. . Some people love their jobs so much that they would give up family time to be at work. Is some loyalty good? Probably not, but just use common sense and do the right thing, what or who should you love more? What or who is more important to you?

I met my wife 4 years ago, and we have had problems since the beginning of our relationship, but I love her very much that despite our problems I’m very loyal to her and I refuse to give up.

A dog is also very loyal to his master because he loves his master. A dog loves his master so much that he will just greet him each time he comes home, even when his master was only gone for a minute. If that’s not loyalty, I don’t know what is.

And finally: faithfullness. I found God recently. September 1^st to be more specific, and have been trying to put him first in my life. It’s difficult at times, but I still try. He has actually changed my life! He has blessed me quite a few times since I started putting him first, and even though stupid things still happen that cause me to question my faith, I still remain loyal to God. I know I’m not the only one who questions my faith either. A friend of mine at my church questions his faith sometimes as well, as I’m sure a lot of believers do. His wife is pregnant, and they are having major problems with the pregnancy. That would cause me to question my faith also but he still remains loyal and faithful to God.

Even Job from the bible remained faithful to God. Satan wanted God to allow Satan to test Job, to see if Job will turn his back on God. God allowed Satan to, and Satan wreaked all kinds of havoc on Job’s life. Letting all kinds of bad things happen to Job. Job not once turned his back to God, nor did he curse God and remained loyal to him.

Faithfulness, love, dedication. These are Three of the most important words I think of when I hear the word “loyalty”. Whatever it is you are doing in life: relationships, school, or work, you should remain loyal despite setbacks, and not throw in the towel. You also shouldn’t rebel against certain things asked of you. If you remain loyal you will eventually achieve great things, and be happier. Why live life like a quitter when that doesn’t accomplish anything?

Logo for ekim travel company

Jesus Teaches About Worry

Matthew 6:25-34 "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life - whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear.  Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing?  Look at the birds.  They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly father feeds them.  And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are?  Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

And why worry about your clothing?  Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow.  They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you.  Why do you have so little faith?

So don't worry about these things, saying 'What will we eat?  What will we drink?  What will we wear?  These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly father already knows all your needs.  Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries.  Today's trouble is enough for today."

Cross of Calvary

Quote of the Day For October 12, 2013

"Commonsense and good nature will do a lot to make the pilgrimage of life not too difficult."
--William Somerset Maugham

Verse of the Day For October 12, 2013

1 Chronicles 16:34 "Give thanks to the lord, for he is good!  His faithful love endures forever."

Cookin' On The Creek Logo

Recently, my intro to digital media class had a chance to create a logo for a client.  The Harrison Chamber of Commerce wanted a logo for the upcoming 4th annual “Cookin’ On The Creek” Festival.  My logo wasn’t chosen which is ok, but it wasn’t too bad.  what do you all think?

Changing A Flat Tire

Have you ever been driving along, and all of a sudden you start hearing that sound from your tires that doesn’t sound quite right?  Sometimes that sound can get even louder.  It’s a sound I can’t describe, and it makes you panicky wondering what’s going on, Folks, I had this experience recently.  Twice, as a matter of fact.  Obviously, I had a tire that went flat.  You can be on a crowded busy street somewhere, and you know you shouldn’t be driving on this tire, so what do you do, Right?

A couple months ago I had a flat while I was driving down the road and I started to panic wondering what I should do, and more recently I had a flat again but luckily I wasn’t driving down the road the last time.

Today, I’m going to demonstrate to you the best I can what you need to do to change a flat tire, that way when you do have one you don’t have to be like me a couple months ago and get panicky wondering what to do.

First off, don’t panic and find a safe flat area to pull over at.  Panicking will probably just leave you frustrated, and you don’t want to be frustrated while being on a busy road looking for a spot to pullover at.  Find a spot as quickly as possible, and then make your turn into that spot.

When you find a spot, make sure it’s flat enough so that when your car is jacked up it doesn’t end up rolling over.  Pull over and be sure to turn your hazard lights on, so that people passing by you can drive by with caution.

                        Second, you should grab all the tools that you will need from wherever they are stored in your vehicle.  There should be 3 things in your car that you will need to change your flat:  a jack, a lugnut wrench, and your spare tire.  I personally wasn’t going to bring in the spare tire, because I didn’t want anyone in the school wondering why someone was walking around in the school with a tire.

Your next step is to take the flat tire off.  First, Loosen the lugnuts most of the way using your lugnut wrench, but make sure not to loosen them completely.  Since the lugnuts are usually on pretty tight, my suggestion is to use your foot on the lugnut wrench to start loosening them since your foot is probably much stronger than your hands are. – and be sure to remember that famous phrase: righty tighty, lefty loosy.

Next, find a sturdy spot under your car near where the flat tire is to place your jack, and then start jacking your car up.  Jack it up just high enough so the tire is off the ground.  Then take the lugnuts off the rest of the way, either with the lugnut wrench or your fingers, and then remove the old tire.

Now we’re ready to put our spare on.  Take the spare tire and place it on the axle, matching the bolts on the axle with the holes on the rim of your spare, and be sure the tire is flush with your axle, this helps make sure it’s on straight and won’t damage your car.

put your lugnuts back on, and hand tighten them.  Make sure the tire stays flush with your axle.  When you tighten the lugnuts, be sure to tighten them in a cris-cross fashion so that the tire stays straight.  In other words, tighten this one, and then tighten this one, and then this one, and so forth.

Now lower your jack, and then use your lugnut wrench to tighten the lugnuts the rest of the way, again making sure that you tighten them in a cris-cross fashion.  Be sure to use your foot on your lugnut wrench when tightening them as well to make it even more tighter so that you don’t risk your spare tire falling off.

After you put all your tools away, and stowed away the old tire, you are now ready to be back on your way.  Turn off your hazard lights, and then make your way back into traffic safely.

Today I demonstrated to you what you need to do to change a flat tire, safely and effectively if you ever needed to change one.  If you get a flat, you probably shouldn’t just keep driving, you will risk a blow-out, endangering others.  Just pull off to the side of the road and just change the tire.  Just 10 minutes can save your car and lives.  Thank you.